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The Holy War

The Holy War. Lesson 4. Goals. To gain a greater understanding of the spiritual warfare in which we are engaged. To develop a greater awareness of the methods employed by Satan. To deepen our appreciation for the grace of God in saving sinners.

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The Holy War

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  1. The Holy War Lesson 4

  2. Goals • To gain a greater understanding of the spiritual warfare in which we are engaged. • To develop a greater awareness of the methods employed by Satan. • To deepen our appreciation for the grace of God in saving sinners. • To learn more about ourselves through empathizing with Mansoul (Mansoul = me)

  3. Key Questions • What primary Bible passages come to your mind as you read this assignment? • To what degree does the story accurately depict Bible teaching?

  4. Week 4 Shaddai’s army toDefense of ear gate with 60 deaf men

  5. Synopsis Shaddai sends his army under 4 of His captains, and their demand for surrender and offer of peace is rejected.

  6. Synopsis (continued) • Shaddai sends his army • Not yet under Emmanuel • Under 4 captains • Captain Boanerges (Thunder) • Captain Conviction • Captain Judgment • Captain Execution • He gives the captains their commissions • They travel to Mansoul

  7. Synopsis (continued) • They camp in front of Ear-gate • The townspeople gaze in wonder • Diabolus chides the townsmen • Captain Boanerges sends his trumpeter • 4 summons (Take-heed-what-you-hear) • 4 speeches (1 by each captain) • 4 responses (Incredulity, Willbewill, Forget-Good, the townsmen) • Ear-gate is secured • Doubly guarded, bolted, and locked • Guarded by Mr. Prejudice and 60 deaf men

  8. Discussion

  9. Discussion Why does Shaddai use His captains to approach the city of Mansoul first, rather than immediately sending His Son, Emmanuel, to subdue them? • He wants to see the “temper” of Mansoul • And “whether by them they would be won to the obedience of their King.”

  10. Discussion What are some verses that relate to God sending in this way? • Matt 11:10 ”Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” (of John the Baptist) • Matt 23:29-32 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, 'If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.‘"So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. • Matt 23:34 Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, • Matt 23:37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.

  11. Discussion Describe the general characteristics of the captains and the army of Shaddai. • 40,000 “all true men” and “those of his own choosing” • “Very stout and rough-hewn men” • “Fit to break the ice” • “and to make their way by dint of sword” Yet as “they marched through the regions of many people” . . . • They went “not hurting or abusing any” • But “blessing wherever they came” • And “lived upon the King’s cost in all the way they went” And when they “came within sight of Mansoul” . . . • They could “for their hearts do no less than for a while bewail the condition of the town”

  12. Discussion: The 4 Captains Awakened preaching of the Word Stark exposure to offenses against the Law of God Terror produced in an informed conscience Finality of the penalty of rejection Mark 3:17 James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder"); Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Deuteronomy 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. Matthew 3:10 The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Each captain represents not a separate messenger from God, but a separate component of the Gospel message

  13. Discussion Summarize the commissions that Shaddai gave to each of His captains: • “Offer them first conditions of peace” (Matt 10:11; Luke 10:5) • Command that they cast off Diabolus and return to me • Command that they cleanse themselves from all association with Diabolus • If they will submit: • Set up a garrison in the town for Shaddai • “Nor do thou hurt the least native” • “Treat . . . such as if they were thy friend or brother” • “Tell them that I will take a time to come unto them” • “Let them know that I am merciful” • If they will not submit: • “Make use of all they cunning, power, might, and force, to bring them under by strength of hand.”

  14. Discussion: 4 Summons Captain Boanerges’ faithful trumpeter, Take-head-what-you-hear, is the first to approach Ear-gate. By the time this section of the story concludes, he has pealed four summons on his trumpet. Describe these four summons and any corresponding responses. • Summons 1: No answer • Summons 2: No answer • Council of war – determined to give Mansoul one more chance • Summons 3: • Very loud summons with severe warning of compulsion by force • Lord Willbewill appears and says he will give message to Diabolus and to the town • Captains patiently await a reply • Trumpets to “readiness” sound and further set the townsmen’s resolve • Summons 4: • The townsmen appear on top of the wall, but make Ear-gate as secure as they can • Diabolus challenges Captain Boanerges • Speeches are delivered and responded to

  15. Discussion: 4 Speeches Speech 1: Captain Boanerges Speech 2: Captain Conviction Speech 3: Captain Judgment Speech 4: Captain Execution

  16. Speech 1: Captain Boanerges • Laments the absence of Mayor Understanding • Ignores Diabolus • Tells his commission and shows his credentials (seal) • Reiterates offer of peace, yet . . . • Threatens use of force

  17. Speech 2: Captain Conviction (Romans 3:10-19, 23) • Reminds them of their past and present condition • Stresses that submission to Shaddai is in their best interest • Mentions the power of Shaddai’s anger • Recounts their acts as proof of their rebellion • Stresses the need to act quickly • Warns them against being deceived by Diabolus into thinking that the Captains seek their own profit • Highlights Shaddai’s amazing grace and mercy

  18. Speech 3: Captain Judgment (Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 2:3; Job 36:17-19; Psalm 9:7; Isaiah 46:12-13; Ezekiel 32:14) • Opens by highlighting the length of their rebellion • Reinforces that the message and mission is from Shaddai (not their own) • Warns them against being deceived by Diabolus into thinking that Shaddai is not able to subdue them • Warns them that He will not be merciful forever and that their judgment is very near • Severely warns them against provoking Shaddai until the opportunity for mercy is gone forever • Stresses repeatedly their utter helplessness in the day of judgment • Diabolus trembles during Captain Judgment’s speech

  19. Speech 4: Captain Execution (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 3:9) • Highlights their fruitlessness (once famous, now fruitless) and need to be hewn down • Stresses that they are between warning and execution, and that this is all the time they have to repent • Warns that they will not survive the “axe” • Warns of the danger of making light of Shaddai’s words

  20. Discussion: 4 Responses • Response 1:Incredulity (Unbelief) • We do not believe your origin, purpose, authority • We do not regard your persons, message, and King • We do not fear Shaddai’s power, greatness, or vengeance • We will not yield. Be gone or we will attack you! • Response 2:Lord Willbewill • Ditto (shorter version) • Response 3:Forget-Good • We have answered your harsh speeches with gentle words • We mercifully allow you to leave without our having used force • Response 4:The townsmen • Shouted for joy • Rang the bells • Made merry • Danced upon the walls

  21. Discussion As bravely as the men of Mansoul talked, and threatened violence to Shaddai’s army, they go to great lengths to further secure the doors at Ear-gate. What is the significance of placing Mr. Prejudice and his retinue of 60 deaf soldiers to guard Ear-gate? Diabolus places the character with the greatest prejudice against the Gospel to lead the underling soldiers, and their deafness (purposeful stopping of the ears) meant that Shaddai’s words would have no point of entrance to them.

  22. Witnessing The dialogue between the military delegation from Shaddai and the town of Mansoul gives a heightened understanding of the way the Gospel can be brought to bear on sinful men. Close attention to the messages of Shaddai’s four captains can be a useful guide for one desirous of bringing the Word convincingly home to the hearts of the unregenerate. What can we learn about witnessing from the speeches of the captains?

  23. The Holy War

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